Administrative Support
Receptionist
Overview
A receptionist greets visitors, answers calls, and provides general office support. They schedule appointments, manage incoming and outgoing mail, and perform data entry and other administrative tasks. They are the first point of contact for customers, and must have excellent communication and organizational skills.
The main responsibilities of a receptionist include greeting visitors, answering and transferring phone calls, scheduling appointments, managing mail and packages, and performing basic administrative tasks such as data entry, filing, and faxing. They may also be responsible for directing visitors to the appropriate person or department and providing general information about the company or organization.
Common tasks
| Task | Related trait(s) |
|---|---|
| Greeting visitors, customers and responding to enqueries | Amiability Extroversion Cheerfulness Teamplayer Respect for rules |
| Answering and forwarding phone calls, taking messages scheduling appointments and events | Conscientiousness Organization |
| Maintaining office records and performing administrative tasks, such as copying, scanning, and printing documents | Conscientiousness Competence Organization |
| Monitoring office supplies and placing orders | Organization |
| Ensuring that the reception area and conference rooms are clean, organized, and presentable | Conscientiousness |
| Collaborating with others | Helping Others Teamplayer Positive group practices Integrity – Honesty and Confidentiality |
Soft skills measured by TraitForward
| Trait | No of Questions | Cronbach’s alpha (α) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conscientiousness | 6 | 0.76 | |
| Do they have a desirable work ethic? | |||
| Amiability | 6 | 0.81 | |
| Will they remain calm in the face of adversity? | |||
| Competence | 5 | 0.73 | |
| Can they find solutions? | |||
| Extroversion | 7 | 0.82 | |
| Can they handle social situations? | |||
| Helping Others | 6 | 0.75 | |
| Do they like helping others? | |||
| Organization | 10 | 0.74 | |
| Are they organized? | |||
| Teamplayer Respect for rules | 9 | 0.74 | |
| Do they follow rules? | |||
| Teamplayer Positive group practices | 9 | 0.72 | |
| Do they like being included in a group? | |||
| Integrity – Honesty and Confidentiality | 11 | 0.71 | |
| Do they have principles? | |||
| Activity Level – Multitasking | 5 | 0.67 | |
| Can they multitask? Can they handle demanding workloads? | |||
| Cheerfulness | 6 | 0.78 | |
| Do they have a cheerful attitude? | |||
Did you Know?
Source: US Department of Labor – Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median wage:
$29,950 / per year
$14 / hour
The median annual wage for this profession is $29,950. Nonetheless several professionals may not be paid in that rate. A relatively low salary the 10th percentile of the annual wage is $23,050 whilst a relatively high salary, the 90th percentile of the annual wage is $45,760.
Expected employment growth:
Number (in thousands in 2021): 1037.1
Number (in thousands in 2031): 1041.4
Employment percent change: 0.4
Entry Education level:
To become a receptionist, one typically needs a high school diploma or equivalent, although some employers may require additional education or experience. Receptionists must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as they are often the first point of contact for visitors and customers. Additionally, they must have strong organizational and multitasking skills and be able to manage a variety of tasks simultaneously. Basic computer skills and knowledge of office software such as Microsoft Office are also important for receptionists. Finally, a friendly and professional demeanor is essential for this role, as receptionists must create a positive first impression for visitors and customers.
Find out the psychometric properties for the Receptionist Traitforward questionnaire